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The National Basketball Association season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.